Mississippi runs out of coronavirus vaccine as state expands eligibility

© Getty Images Mississippi runs out of coronavirus vaccine as state expands eligibility

Mississippi officials said the state has run out of coronavirus vaccines after appointments for vaccinations committed its entire supply.

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) said in a statement Wednesday that its vaccine distribution plan has been "significantly altered in the last few few days - especially in the last 24 hours."

"Neither the county health department drive-through sites, nor the UMMC vaccine scheduling website was designed to accommodate the monumental surge we are currently experiencing," the department said. "At this time, we have no additional vaccine, and every appointment is tied to an actual vaccination."

The department said it hopes to revive a large shipment of doses by mid-February, adding that it will keep residents updated regarding additional doses.

"Mississippians should understand that we can only vaccinate residents based on vaccine availability. We will open additional vaccination appointments as we receive more vaccine," MSDH wrote.

Video: Confusion over who’s next in line for Covid vaccine (NBC News)

Confusion over who’s next in line for Covid vaccine

NBC News See more videos

SHARE

SHARE

TWEET

SHARE

EMAIL

What to watch next

• 

  With a more assertive China, Biden faces growing tensions in Asia

  
  CNN
• 

  Biden not waiting for Congress to get started on climate action

  
  MSNBC
• 

  Biden admin re-engages government with public, press after Trump disconnect

  
  MSNBC
• 

  White House vows to protect U.S. from Huawei

  
  Reuters
• 

  Bangladesh starts vaccinating health workers

  
  AFP
• 

  GOP puts QAnon booster Taylor Greene on House education cmte.

  
  MSNBC
• 

  Biden acts on climate as Senate fights over Trump trial

  
  MSNBC
• 

  CBP halts construction of border wall after Biden executive order

  
  FOX News
• 

  False GOP attack ad with QAnon messaging against Rep. Malinowski led to death threats

  
  MSNBC
• 

  Trump is coming for the Republican Party

  
  MSNBC
• 

  Native Americans face cultural crisis as tribal elders die from COVID-19

  
  CBS News
• 

  Ingraham: Biden pursues 'unity' by surveilling, harassing critics

  
  FOX News
• 

  Hannity: Today's Democratic Party doesn't want free speech

  
  FOX News
• 

  President Biden rejects poultry proposal that would increase chicken processing by 25%

  
  Fox Business
• 

  Federal health officials in Biden administration hold first COVID-19 briefing

  
  CBS News
• 

  Biden rolls out major executive actions to combat the climate crisis

  
  CBS News

Click to expand

Replay Video

• With a more assertive China, Biden faces growing tensions in Asia One of the biggest international challenges facing President Biden is a relationship with China, which had grown increasingly hostile under the Trump administration. Now, the Biden administration faces power struggles in Asia as China grows more dominant. CNN's Ivan Watson reports. CNN
• Biden not waiting for Congress to get started on climate action Rachel Maddow reports on a new set of executive orders from President Joe Biden aimed at protecting the environment and addressing climate change, part of an ambitious program that has supporters in Congress shifting gears from advocacy to action. MSNBC
• Biden admin re-engages government with public, press after Trump disconnect Rachel Maddow shares her reaction to the disorienting resumption of normal, regular communication between the U.S. government and the public and press as befits a functioning democracy. MSNBC

UP NEXT

"In the meantime, all Mississippians - whether vaccinated or not - should continue to follow protective guidelines. Especially avoid any social gatherings. And always wear a mask," it added.

The short supply comes a day after Gov. Tate Reeves (R) expanded vaccinations to people ages 65 and older, as well as those with preexisting conditions.

The Biloxi Sun Herald reports that Reeves vowed to open vaccines to first responders and teachers next week. The governor wanted to get "shots in the arms" of as many people as possible and quickly.

The newspaper notes that the MSDH hotline and website, as well as several hospitals, ran out of appointments on Wednesday.

Mississippi is not the only state expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility in an effort to get vaccinations underway quickly.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D)expanded eligibility to anyone 65 or older on Wednesday, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (R) last week expanded eligibility to people 75 and over, as well as first responders.